15 heading north to the M5, where we pick up a cycle route that promises a route to the (northern) Severn Bridge. Like most cycle routes it leaves us clueless in the middle of nowhere, but the bridge is visible for miles, so we eventually get there, and are grateful for the smooth surface on the footpath/cycleway.
Welsh border control negotiated, it's up the A466 past Chepstow race
course, and up the Wye Valley to Monmouth. The best part of the ride to date, I'm in the groove and the miles fly by, as does Tintern Abbey.Resist the temptation to call in at the
Kingstone Brewery and weave between England and Wales till Monmouth is reached, where I get lost in the to
wn centre.Pressing north to Hereford we refuel at ASDA and battle our way out of town through heavy traffic. Then it's the A4110 past Leominster and on to Craven Arms. Hitting the wall now, I plod on, tra
velling parallel to the Long Mynd, consoled by the thought that there are worse places to be.We pick up Tach at Buildwas, cross the Severn and climb up into the new town of Telford. Not so new now, of course, there are still plenty of open spaces waiting for development. I'm reminded of Take Me Home, a 1989 BBC drama shot in Telford starring Keith Barron and Maggie O'Neill....
113 miles in 9.7 hours.
Ingrid and Jenny are at the Travelodge to meet us with supplies and Angus, who's now well enough to cycle. We explore the bright lights of Telford and find a McDonalds, then it's time to get some sleep.
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